Police praised for handling of out of control dog in Whiston

Joanne Barker charged with 2 counts of being owner of dog dangerously out of control, leaves Liverpool Magistrates Court

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Police have today praised two officers for the way they dealt with an out of control dog in Whiston.

A 13-year-old Japanese Akita, named Kai, sank its teeth into PC Colin White and PC James Edward, leaving them both with scars, on September 10 last year.

Its owner Joanne Barker, 44, appeared in Liverpool Magistrates’ Court yesterday, after being found guilty of two charges of being the owner of a dangerously out of control dog causing injury following a trial in April.

She was sentenced yesterday to 40 hours unpaid work and ordered to pay £200 compensation to each officer.

He said: “The two officers who were bitten displayed an ability to think on their feet and make the right decisions during a difficult situation.

“This was a large dog that had already attacked another dog and its owner and was roaming a residential area just as two local schools were due to send children home for the day.

“The officers tried to distract the dog but as it got closer to one of the schools they approached it and used a belt as an improvised collar to control it, which calmed the dog down.

“However during this both received painful bites which required hospital treatment. The dog was then taken into the care of a police dog handler who arrived at scene after it had been brought under control.”

Health care assistant Barker, now of Scholes Lane in St Helens, was sleeping at her former address in Fisher Avenue, Whiston, when Kai escaped.

Police were called at around 2.55pm by a member of the public who intervened after Kai attacked another dog near Millennium Park.

Kai was later seized and destroyed by police.

Chief Insp Boyle said: “Other officers found the owner and after all the options were explained to her, she signed paperwork giving the police permission to have the dog put down.

“This case highlights the bravery and professionalism that Merseyside Police officers display on a daily basis while protecting the public from harm.

“It also shows the importance of being a responsible dog owner and being in control of your dog at all times, regardless of its breed or temperament.”

Speaking after the case yesterday, Barker told the ECHO that she disagreed with the police’s version of events and is planning to lodge a formal complaint.